Mark Webber’s First Porsche Test in LMP1 Racer

Newest Porsche recruit Mark Webber’s just had his first test in the Porsche LMP1. And I’ve just come up with a nickname for this bus: PLMP1 obviously shortens to PIMP 1.

Still under contract to Red Bull Racing, Weber sported his F1 helmet to crack through some laps of next year’s Le Mans car in testing at Portimao, Portugal.

“My first day in this fascinating project was an intense experience,” said Webber. “[Getting in the car before the end of the year] allows me to integrate with the team quicker and to contribute to further developing the LMP1 race car. We have a long way to go and it involves a lot of hard work. I have no misconceptions about this.”

“…then you put the cheese on and whack it under the grill”

Pure Porsche PR speak there but no surprises. There’s not much else to say apart from “we did a few laps”, and the official Porsche race team will have a different dynamic to the laid back Red Bull squad. Webbo’s got to settle in before we hear his thoughts.

This final 2013 track session for PIMP 1 involved suspension and tyre tests with Michelin. It’s already tested at Magny Cours, Monza and Ricard, and at the high-speed Lausitz oval. “We’ve made significant progress since the roll-out in June,” said LMP1 chief, Fritz Enzinger. “Every kilometre was important, providing us with new data that brought the development forward. Our efforts will continue unabated: until the start of the season at Silverstone mid-April there is still a lot to do.”

I like the pics – can’t wait to see some sponsor colours on this thing at Silverstone. And to hear it.